asked
ˈas(k)t 
ˈäs(k)t,
ˈask;
dialectal ˈakst
; asking
1
2
a
: to make a request of
She asked her teacher for help.
b
: to make a request for
She asked help from her teacher.
3
: to call for : require
a challenge that will ask much of us
4
: to set as a price
asked $3000 for the car
5
: invite
She asked a few friends to the party.
asker
noun
chiefly British, informal
: something asked for, requested, or required of someone
—used especially in phrases like a big ask and a tough ask to say that what is being asked for or hoped for is difficult or unlikely
It's a big ask, I think, demanding audiences recall a plot from two years ago, and while normally I don't mind a big ask … this particular ask utterly defeated me.—
Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross
Phrases
ask for it
informal
: to behave in a way that invites punishment or retribution
Experts used to think that battered women were "asking for it"—somehow masochistically provoking abuse from their men. Mercifully, that idea has now been discredited.—Michele Ingrassia
Michele Ingrassia
informal
: to behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble
… you are asking for trouble if you try to lift too much weight …—Douglas Jeffrey
Douglas JeffreySynonyms
Examples of ask in a Sentence
Verb
I need to ask a question.
Did you ask her yet?
“Have you seen the movie yet?” he asked.
a list of frequently asked questions
“If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?” “I'm 35 years old. Why do you ask?”
“Do they have any soda?” “I don't know. I'll go ask.”
I would have given it to him, but he never asked.
We had to stop and ask directions.
May I ask the time?
Did you ask permission to leave?
Recent Examples on the Web
Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will ask President-elect Donald Trump to release him from a 20-year prison sentence, his attorney said.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Corporate documents and sources working for the Taiwanese manufacturers in question reveal that SpaceX had made the ask, resulting in multiple suppliers making plans in Vietnam and Thailand, Reuters reports Tuesday.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ask 
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Verb
Police said no arrests have been made and asked that anyone with information on the shootings to call 512-974-TIPS.
—Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will ask President-elect Donald Trump to release him from a 20-year prison sentence, his attorney said.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
First listed in summer 2023 for just under $11.5 million, the place underwent several price chops before landing at its final ask of $8.5 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Corporate documents and sources working for the Taiwanese manufacturers in question reveal that SpaceX had made the ask, resulting in multiple suppliers making plans in Vietnam and Thailand, Reuters reports Tuesday.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ask
Dictionary Entries Near ask
Cite this Entry
“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ask. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to seek information : inquire
asked about our trip
2
a
: to make a request
ask for help
b
: to make a request to
ask your teacher to help you
3
: to set as a price : demand
asked $20 for the bicycle
4
: invite entry 1 sense 2a
asked friends to a party
5
: to behave as if looking
asking for trouble
asker
noun
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